Liquid-dispensing device



Aug. 5, 1930.

F. E. RICE E C I V E D G N I S N E P S I D D I U Q I L Filed April 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 5, 1930. F. E. RICE LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 11, 1928 attend-aw Patented Aug 5, 1930 A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK E. RICE, OI DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T AMERICAN TAP BUSH OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN LIQUID-DISPENSING DEVICE Application filed April 11,

The present invention pertains to a novel liquid dispensing device and more particularly to an inexpensive cabinet in the form of a fountain which may be readily transported from place to place. The principal object of the invention is to provide a device of the character suit-able for use by refreshment venders who follow the crowds and havin a finished appearance resembling that of t e conventional soda fountain.

The device is in the form of a housing built to contain and conceal a supply receptacle of the beverage to be dispensed. On the top of the housing is mounted a tap adapted for connection to the supply receptacle. In the line between the receptacle and the tap is a cooling coil mounted in'a cooling chamber built in the top of the housing and adapted to be packed with ice or other refrigerant. The top of the housing has a well finished appearance, including preferably a metal drip tray and a polished rail forming an enclosure for glasses. Inasmuch as the supply receptacle is concealed within the housing, the device presents the appearance of a permanent soda fountain, which is more attractive and conducive to patronage than the usual makeshift arrangements which are set up for the accommodation of a transient crowd of people.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section of the device;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail of a discharge nozzle.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

The device is built upon and within a hous ing having a semi-cylindrical front portion 7 1 and plane sides 2 which are in continuation of and tangential to the cylindrical portion. The vertical wall of the housing thus formed is built on a suitable frame 3 mounted on wheels 4 so that the device may easily be wheeled from place to place. It will be seen 1928. Serial No. 269,039.

that the frame includes spaced vertical bars 5.

secured to a base structure 6 and to a top structure 7 by means of brackets or corners 8. 1

The rear-of the housing is open and is of sufiicient size to permit a supply receptacle 9 to be passed therethrough for concealment within the housing. A metal plate 10 constitutes the top of the housing and supports a tap consisting of a standard 11, a spout 12, and a valve 13. This valve is adapted to control flow of fluid under pressure of twentyfive to two hundred fifty pounds per square inch, according to the contents of the tank 9, and the spout 12 is provided with a regulating screw 12 to be projected into an opening 12 in'a transverse wall of the nozzle so that the discharge of fluid may be regulated according to the pressure. It will be evident that the contents of the tank may be charged or otherwise placed under pressure by any means already known in the art.

In the upper portion of the housingis built a cooling chamber 14 preferably directly beneath the spout 12. The bottom and lateral walls of the chamber are backed with insulation 15 to avoid undue dissipation of the re-- frigerant employed in the chamber. A supply pipe 16 is connected into the base of the standard 11 to communicate with the spout 12 and is formed with a coil 17 lying on the bottom of the cooling chamber. By means of a suitable coupling 18 (Figure 2), the coil 17 is arranged for connection to a pipe 19 which in turn is connected to a coupling 21 provided at the outlet of the tank 9.

A drip tray which overlies the chamber 7 14: is covered by a perforated plate 23 arranged directly underneath the spout 12. The tray has an outlet 24 adapted to discharge in a trough 25 disposed directly therebeneath, and this trough is connected by a pipe 26 to a drain cock 27 suitably supported by one of the rear members of the frame 3.

A plug 28 is threaded into the drain cock and is formed with a valve head 29 which in turn is formed with a nipple 30. The latter supports one end of another pipe 31, the other end of which is connected into the bottom of the cooling chamber 14. The plug 28 has a peripheral groove 32 which permits continuous discharge from the pipe 26, but thecooling chamber 14 is emptied of water only when the valve head 29 is retracted by turning the plug 28.

In order to improve the appearance of the device, a rail 33 is built around the upper edge of the housing, and another rail 34 is mounted on the top rearwardly of the stand ard 11 and provides a "convenient base for holding glasses.

It is' believed that the utility and advantages of the invention will now be apparent from the foregoing description, particularly when considered in connection with the objects of the invention stated in the introductory part of this specification. It might be added that the wall or apron of the housing is preferably composed of steel and may be finished with porcelain enamel, stainless nickel or Duco as desired.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it

will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claim.

What I claim is A roller supported portable fountain including in combination a housing, said housing being provided with an open chamber in the upper end thereof, a drain trough arranged over said chamber, a drain board covering said trough, a tap mounted on said housing adjacent said chamber and disposed to discharge into said trough, a conduit communicating at one end with said tap and having its other endarranged for connection to a supply receptacle, said conduit having a coil in its length on the bottom of said chamber, a drain pipe leading from said trough, a second drain pipe leading from said chamber, a drain cock with which the ends of said drain pipes communicate, saidcock arranged to allow continuous discharge from one of said drain pipes and having a.

valve for controlling discharge from the other of said drain pipes.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRANK E; RICE. 

